%expand(%include(D:\http/ads/ads0.html))
Early Media Impressions of TGs
Footprints from the Past
By Andee W
We all react to the stereotypes of the transgendered in the
mainstream media. If you are like me you don't find much in common with the
spectacle on Jerry Springer or the other television talk shows. We're not
really like that. But the media has been fascinated by us for a long time.
Some of the more telling media artifacts are from over a hundred years ago, and continued
to show up in varied publications well into the early twentieth century. From
1867-1873 The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine often featured letters from
men to the editor who told how much they enjoyed wearing corsets, describing
"petticoat punishment," i.e.-- forced crossdressing as an alternative to
corporal punishment, and the pleasures of female clothing.
One example, titled Etonesis, is an interesting account from the magazine in 1870 about a
governess and maid who dressed a young man in his sister's clothes for not
completing a geography lesson:
"Stays were easy, but now came the fight
again. The first petticoat I clutched hold of, and I think for ten minutes I
held on 'til at last that too was accomplished...They now easily accomplished
the rest; shame overcame my courage, and I had no strength. My trousers were
now entirely removed. I was made to stand up, under more slappings and
thumpings, and threatenings of birch, while my dressing was most leisurely
completed with a stiff starched petticoat, a blue frock nearly down to my
feet, stockings, and sandal shoes...I know not if this punishment is more
cruel than the birch; the mere threat 'shall I send for some petticoats for
you?' always sets me to work."
Another publication of the era was The Family
Doctor and People's Medical Adviser, published from 1885-1894. It endeavored
to provide practical medical advice to families, and was particularly
adamantly against the practice of "tight-lacing."
In reaction to its
articles, from 1886 on men were writing in about the pleasures of full female
dress. One letter was in response to an offer (in another letter from a
female who wore men's clothes) to provide an entire outfit to any man who
would show himself in the full dress of a woman on Regent Street at a
prearranged time.
Josephine (formerly Joseph) writes: "I have always suffered
from a weak throat, and during a great part of the year I am obliged to keep
my neck and chest well wrapped up. Returning home rather late once, a lady
friend lent me her fur boa. I found so much comfort in its use that I decided
to get one.
The Eternal Question...
"I did this, and wore it, with the result I became an object of
ridicule. I then reasoned that if so much comfort could be obtained from one
article of female attire, how much might I expect from assuming such
entirely?
"I tried it, and was more than satisfied, and decided for the future
to discard male dress. I confessed my feeling in the matter to a friend of
mine, an elderly lady, who approved of my plan. For the last four years I
have been living with her as her niece, a quietly dressed and modestly
conducted young lady."
In another letter, titled A Would-Be Petticoat, a man
writes: "Some time back, when so much talk was made as to whether a woman's
dress was healthful and convenient, I determined to practically test the fact
for myself. I accordingly encased myself in lady's full costume for one
month, at the end of which time, whenever the opportunity presents itself in
the privacy of my own home, I don female attire. In order to gratify my wish
I have a complete lady's wardrobe of my own, of which I am very particular,
especially my underclothing, which I cannot have too nice; although when
fully dressed it is not seen, still the consciousness that it is there is a
source of great pleasure to the wearer, a statement many ladies, I know, will
endorse."
Finally, another contemporary publication of the time was Society,
published from 1879 to 1900. It too jumped into the corset controversy. One
letter to the editor provided this account of a young man pressed into
bridesmaid's duty because his sister was sick:
"On rising in the morning (if
my sisters desire me to accompany them in female rigout) I wear thin silk
'combinations', over which the corset is laced fairly tight. Coloured silk
lingerie, and a soft morning gown completes the outfit. After breakfast a few
hours of recreation follow, and then we retire to our rooms, mine being that
occupied until lately by my married sister. Once there, the maid comes round
to each, and the silken corset laces are tightly drawn to the extreme of
tightness, nineteen inches never being exceeded. The silken undergarments are
supplanted by white lawn, smothering with frills and laces, and each emerges
from the room looking delightfully comfortable and happy.
"As I am writing
this I am arrayed in a grey tweed dress, having been out walking. At every
moment I hear the fascinating creak of a new satin corset, every movement of
my limbs followed by the swish of silken garments, a delicate perfume comes
from the pink satin with which the skirt is lined, and when I cross my feet
in true 'tomboy fashion' I can see a filmy cloud of white lace hovering over
high heel Parisian shoes."
I hope you enjoyed reading these short letters,
and will look forward to continuing installments that progress from the turn
of the century to the modern era.
------ Andee is married with two children
and lives outside Washington DC. You can send her email at AndeeW@aol.com.
|